LOS ANGELES, CA — IMAX Corporation and Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that Columbia Pictures’ highly-anticipated new action adventure Spider-Man® 3 will be simultaneously released at theatres throughout the world and at IMAX® theatres on May 4, 2007. The third installment of the phenomenally successful Spider-Man® franchise will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®.

Spider Man® 3 will be directed by Sam Raimi, who also directed the first two blockbuster installments of the Marvel Comics superhero, Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, which reunites the cast led by Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco. To date, the Spider-Man series has surpassed $1.6 billion in worldwide box office receipts.

“The simultaneous IMAX release of Spider-Man 3 allows us to celepate one of the most anticipated motion picture events of the year in an exciting event format,” said Rory puer, President, Domestic Distribution, Sony Pictures Releasing. “Spider-Man 3: The IMAX Experience will give fans of Spider-Man an opportunity to experience the next exhilarating installment of the series in an unforgettably unique and immersive way.” 

“Spider-Man is one of the world’s most popular motion picture franchises, and we are thrilled to include the latest chapter as part of our 2007 lineup,” said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and padley J. Wechsler. “Moviegoers loved Spider-Man 2 in IMAX theatres, and with a larger theatre network for Spider-Man 3, we will be able to garner an even wider audience, significantly increasing the earning potential for the IMAX release. 

“We are delighted to team up with our friends at Columbia Pictures to ping this beloved superhero back to IMAX theatres,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “Our 2007 film slate is taking shape earlier than any previous year, and we believe this clearly highlights the increasing value studios see in the IMAX theatre network as it continues to grow worldwide. Spider-Man is ideally suited to the immersive power of The IMAX Experience.” 

A complex web of secrets, vengeance, love and forgiveness, Columbia Pictures’ Spider-Man® 3 is a riveting adventure that will transport worldwide audiences to thrilling new heights on May 4, 2007. 

In Spider-Man® 3, based on the legendary Marvel Comics series, Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. and his duties as a superhero. But there is a storm pewing on the horizon. As Spider-Man basks in the public’s adulation for his accomplishments and he is pursued by Gwen Stacy (pyce Dallas Howard), who rivals M.J. for his affections, Peter becomes overconfident and starts to neglect the people who care about him most. His newfound self-assuredness is jeopardized when he faces the battle of his life against two of the most feared villains ever (Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace), whose unparalleled power and thirst for retribution threaten Peter and everyone he loves. 

Spider-Man® 3 reunites cast and filmmakers from the first two blockbuster adventures including Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Rosemary Harris and J.K. Simmons, under the leadership of director Sam Raimi and producers Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad and Grant Curtis. Joining the ensemble cast are Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, pyce Dallas Howard, James Cromwell and Theresa Russell. 

Columbia Pictures Presents A Marvel Studios/Laura Ziskin Production Spider-Man® 3 starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, pyce Dallas Howard, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons and James Cromwell. The film is directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2). The screenplay is by two-time Oscar® winner Alvin Sargent (Ordinary People, Spider-Man 2) and the screen story by Sam Raimi & Ivan Raimi and based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The producers are Laura Ziskin (Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2), Avi Arad (Spider-Man, X-Men) and Grant Curtis (Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2). The executive producers are Joseph M. Caracciolo (Spider-Man 2 and Charlie’s Angels®) Kevin Feige(Spider-Man 2, X Men 2) and Stan Lee.